Reliable Transportation is Good for Business

The New York Times reported on a new study that reveals that commuting time is the single most important indicator in whether or not low-income families are able to escape poverty. This relationship between social and economic mobility and transportation is stronger than other factors like crime, elementary school test scores, or the percentage of two-parent families within that community, according to the article.

Lending Circles Come to OBDC

This week OBDC Small Business Finance was selected as part of Better Bay Area, a program supported by Mission Asset Fund, Google, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and Y&H Soda Family Foundation to bring the power of lending circles to a larger network of communities across the Bay Area. OBDC is planning to use lending circles to support borrowers in building credit, receiving financial education, and in growing their networks to help their businesses thrive.

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Entrepreneurs

In the United States, women own 10.6 million businesses that produce approximately $2.5 trillion in sales every year. These women-owned companies employ 19.1 million workers, or one in every seven employees. Even though women own approximately 30 percent of small businesses, women-owned companies make up just 16 percent of bank loans and 17 percent of SBA loans. You can find more statistics about women entrepreneurs in this great fact sheet.